Welcome, New Subscribers!
Sending a big hello and thank you to our 82 new subscribers (wow!) who are getting your first current issue of WINGS. I am totally thrilled to have y'all here! WINGS is truly a labor of love, and I hope you'll find it valuable and fun!
Maybe
you'll even be inspired to invite your friends, or forward a copy to
them, if you wish! Please do (there's a link at the bottom to make it
easy). The more, the merrier!
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The Wands of Summer
As I wrote last time, the four suits of the Tarot Minor Arcana relate
to the elements, which are considered the fundamental components of
existence.
The elements were taught in ancient India, Egypt, and Greece, and are
still the foundation for Chinese feng shui, many of the Western magical
traditions, and are the inspiration for modern science's periodic table
of the elements and the four states of matter.
In most European magical traditions, there are four elements, consisting of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. A fifth Element may also be referenced, relating to the non-material worlds, and having to do with aether, spirit, or quintessence.
Each element has a corresponding time of year, season, magical tool,
and so forth, depending on the traditional practices of the particular
group.
The Wands Represent the Element of Fire
Full of the summer sun’s energy, the wands, or staves, as they are
sometimes called, are symbols of growth, passion, and power. In many
decks, they are shown as phallic-looking tree branches with new leaves
sprouting from them, representing the power of the life force.
That life force is often associated with Fire. We call it “the spark
of life,” the “inner fire,” and we “burn” calories and “burn” with
passion.
When Wands turn up in a reading, look for action, growth, and change.
The Wands belong to creativity, inspiration, passion, desire, and
laughter.
Of course, the magical wand is the tool of the focused will, with the
ability to initiate change, transform reality, and illuminate the dark.
In many traditional decks, the colors found in the Wands cards are, not
surprisingly, full of yellows and reds. And the illustrations show
much activity, including celebration as well as struggle.
But the aggression and competitiveness of the Wands is quite different
than the deadly force of the Swords, discussed in the last newsletter.
In fact, the Wands are an acknowledgment of the human need to strive,
to struggle and to triumph over challenges. It is through such struggle
that we grow. The lesson of Wands is to take action, to rise to the
occasion, to act with daring and passion.
If there is a dark side to all this sunny energy, it is that refusal to act, especially on our own behalf or according to our beliefs, leads to being burdened and stuck.
The Wands show that we must claim our power, even if it leads to
controversy and even confrontation. As long as we balance our striving
and desire with the compassion of Cups, which I will discuss for Autumn,
we will not suffer burnout, but we can expect success.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere and are basking (or baking!) in
this bright fiery Summer’s heat, resolve to let the Wands’ guidance show
you how to act with courage, to meet your fears head-on, and to shine
your passionate inner light brightly.
The Wands invite you to chase away any gloom that holds you back from
your most creative, daring dreams. Now wave your magic wand and manifest your desire!
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 Green Living:
8 Quick Tips for a More Eco-friendly Summer
It's Summer time, and the livin' is easy! Making this a perfect
opportunity to incorporate more eco-friendly habits into your routine.
With thanks to the Bio-Friendly Blog for some of these great ideas, here are a few suggestions:
1. Let in some light. Why waste electricity in your house or workplace?
All you need to do is open the blinds and you’ve got light.
2. Speaking of light, go where the light is in your yard and start your
own backyard (or side, or front yard) garden and grow some fresh fruits
and vegetables. They’re organic and they taste better. Your garden
doesn't have to be huge -- even a couple of big pots with basil and
cherry tomatoes is the beginning of a feast!
3. Find out when your local Farmers’ Market is being held and go there
regularly for in-season, local produce. Our Durham Farmer's Market
should come with a warning label that you can develop smile cramps if
you stay too long!
4. Eat more meals at home. Get away from processed foods and start making your meals at home. It’s SO much cheaper and better for you, too.
5. Whether you're running errands or heading out on the great highways, please slow down
a little. Speeding is stressful (and dangerous!), and it takes a toll
on fuel economy. Remember - it's not a race. Enjoy the journey.
6. Save money on your energy bill and reduce the daytime heat build-up
in your home: switch over to doing some of your energy-heavy chores to
the off-peak hours. For instance, do the laundry, dishes, vacuuming,
cooking, etc. at night.
7. Have a potluck get-together. Invite family and friends over for a
picnic or backyard party. Ask them each to bring a specific food item
(in a reusable container) along with their own dinnerware, cups, etc.
This way you’ll have a great mix of foods and drinks. Plus, there will
be very little clean up or waste afterward.
8. Last but not least, you can save money and shrink your carbon footprint at the same time by planning a "staycation."
We love to play tourist here at home in the
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle. Try treating yourself to a day or
two of visiting museums, landmarks, famous restaurants, and local
galleries -- as if you're visiting from out of town. It gives you a new
sense of pride about your hometown and you can skip the unpleasant wear
and tear of travel. Some more terrific staycation ideas can be found here.
Got some additional suggestions? I'd love to hear from you. Share your environmental tips for a greener Summer, and I'll print the best ones next time.
Remember --Every little bit makes a world of difference.
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 Astrological Tidbits
Letting the days go by, into silent water..
Once in a lifetime, water flowing underground ...
The big news of July is that three planets are changing direction PLUS we are going to be experiencing what astrologer Lance Ferguson describes as, "a fabulous Water Grand Trine created by Jupiter in Cancer, Saturn in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces."
He notes, "this is a once-in-a-lifetime event for all of us."
The
central concentration of it will be from July 15-21, but its influence
has already been building for some time, according to astrologer Simone Butler, starting at the July 8 Cancer New Moon, when "the Sun and Moon embrace in the sign of the Great Mother, trine the North Node (destiny) in potent Scorpio. And, this New Moon [was] strengthened by Saturn’s station direct after five months, the night before."
She explains, "The trine between the New Moon and the North Node is a prelude to the Grand Water Trine, which unites Jupiter in Cancer (emotional truth), Saturn in Scorpio (karmic rectification) and Neptune in Pisces (heavenly bliss).
"All greatly energized by Mars conjunct Jupiter at the July 22 Full Moon. So, by tapping into our emotional truth, we can rectify old wrongs and climb the ladder to heaven, or fulfillment."
Heady
stuff, but Simone reassures us, "Though that may sound grandiose, the
power of this energy is not to be scoffed at. Big changes are possible
with very little effort this month."
Meantime,
as the planets change directions (which of course they don't REALLY do
-- it just looks like that from our viewpoint on Earth!), there is
additional shifting and transformation on the way this month.
July got started with Mercury in retrograde,
in case you somehow hadn't already realized it. It is now slowing and
preparing to station direct again on July 20. Things tend to get wonky
during the periods of slowing down and shifting, just like changing
gears in a car from forward to reverse.
Slow down, check your mirrors, and know the difference between the brake, the clutch, and the gas.
As mentioned before, on July 8, Saturn changed direction. My friend Lynn Hayes explains, "Saturn is all about doing the hard work, and in Scorpio we find that hard work in facing our own Selves and the challenges to our personal growth."
In addition, Uranus turns retrograde
July 17. "Uranus rules the kind of radical change that shocks us out of
our sleep and forces us to embrace new ways of living our lives," Lynn
tells us.
"Expect
surprises and reversals--embrace change when it happens. We are
becoming renewed and while this is not always easy, the things we must let go are the very things that hold us back."
And no assessment is complete without acknowledging the ongoing tension and radical upheaval being created by the Uranus-Pluto square
that will have been exact seven times from June 2012-March 2015, with
the most recent May 21 square-off still rippling across our globe.
We will continue to see intensely volatile politics and shaky foundations in the cultural institutions we have considered most stable and permanent.
Cue: The Water Grand Trine. Astrologer Rhea Wolf notes, "The trine can take the edge off of all the big changes we are engaging in. It is a respite, a reprieve, a retreat.
"This does not imply that we must run away from change or challenge in
order to feel peace. Allowing ourselves to see the big picture in regard
to the hardships that often come with change helps renew our energy and
vision for the journey ahead. This aspect is like a big ol' consensual
bear hug from the universe. Just go limp and be held."
Astrologer Judy Joyce adds that Jupiter is also in this mix right now. "Jupiter,"
she writes, "brings optimism, growth and expansion. Which means the
radical restructuring energies are going to get bigger and more
powerful. Unexpected events, surprises, changes, upheavals and crises
could occur. Radical Restructuring? You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet!
"However," she reassures us, thanks to Jupiter's
influence, "in addition to the expanding and challenging radical
restructuring energies, we will have flowing and helpful energies at our
disposal...
"The radical restructuring energies will force us to deal with something that cannot be ignored. The flowing
energies can provide us with the optimism, creativity and spiritual
insight to restructure our lives in a positive and healthy way."
Judy indicates that the flowing energies, under the power of the Water Grand Trine, will be strongest in July. August is when we will most likely see the challenges and sudden changes.
The bottom line: this is not going to be a sleepy,
laid-back summertime. Tremendous change is underway, from the deepest
roots up. With our awareness and love, it can be change for much, much
better.
Until next time...
May the stars shine brightly for you.
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First -- A huge thank you
to all the folks who have sent Reiki, support, and good wishes as we
continue to nurse our kitty who is in poor health. She is hanging in
there, but we feel that my Tarot Boutiques are as much contact with the
public as she can handle at this time. So for now, I am still unable to
meet for in-person readings here.
However, as you can see, I am honored to be at Dancing Moon twice a month, and I also offer my readings by phone.
Tarot Readings at
Dancing Moon Books,
1840 N. Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh
Saturday, July 20 (Mercury stations direct)
Friday, August 2 (the day after Lughnassadh)
Saturday, August 17
Hour or half-hour appointments begin at
11:30 am, and end at 6 pm. I try to accommodate walk-ins, but I tend to
get booked up. So I suggest you schedule in advance by calling (919) 833-8081.
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This Summer ..
You Can Learn to Read the Tarot
Maybe you've tried to learn the Tarot by reading books, digging around online, and some kind of osmosis..
Maybe you've wanted to come to the Tarot Boutiques, but you are a novice and need to learn (or brush up on) the basics...
For over a year, you've asked me. And now, I am happy to announce..
I am bringing back my introductory “Tarot Without Tears®” workshops.
How would you like to have centuries-old Wisdom at your fingertips — lightning fast — anytime, anywhere?
What if you could have a clear, inspiring, and fantastically accurate
way to connect to your highest, most trustworthy guidance?
You can! And with these fun, hands-on classes, in only two steps, you will!
I promise: By the end of the 2nd class, you will be reading your cards with confidence and ease!
And you will have a great time, too, as I show you how easy and fun it
can be! No more memorizing, or struggling with being "book dependent."
These are in a full-sized classroom, so bring a friend or two! The more the merrier!
Don't miss out..I don't know when -- or if -- I will offer these again, so don't miss this opportunity! All the details are right here. |
Offering Customized Workshops for Your Exquisite Tarot Tastes . . .
Beth Owl's Daughter presents:
The Tarot Boutique
If you are looking for MORE Tarot….
Tarot beyond the introductory basics....
More focus on specialty topics….
An intimate, magical setting with more personal attention and the inspiring company of other passionate enthusiasts..
Join Us!
Holy Aces, y'all!
These are even more fun than I'd originally envisioned (and believe me,
I was kind of ridiculously infatuated with this idea!)..
Once a month, usually the last Saturday, I have been offering intimate, customized workshops at my home in Durham.
These are for people who want MORE Tarot, in
exclusive, specialty morsels that stand alone, or can combine to offer
you new sparkle and depth in your Tarot practice.
Big News!
July 27: Decks, Decks, Decks!
Play time combined with in-depth enrichment for your practice! This is
all about our beloved decks – how to choose them, care for them, and
how each has its own unique “voice” that can broaden our understanding,
using the “Comparative Tarot” method. Three seats still remained at last check.
August 24: How to Keep and Love a Tarot Journal
(changed from April, in order to coincide with our Meetup's August activity of making Tarot journals). This can be your secret weapon for creativity, insight, and becoming fluent in the subtleties of the Tarot! Registration is open, but only a few seats remain.
NEW:
September 28: A Tarot Herbal Harvest
If you are intrigued with the idea of combining the magical energies of herbs with the mysteries of the Tarot, you’ll love this class!
In this very special harvest season workshop, we will spend the
afternoon exploring and playing with the Green Allies that are aligned
with your Soul, Personality, and Teacher card herbs, making your own
keepsake creations. Registration has just opened!
And Save These Dates:
October 26: Tarot Spellwork and Magick
November 23: Reading for Others – How to Share and Serve with the Tarot (you must have taken "The Wisdom Journey" to register - see more info below).
December 28: Going Pro with Tarot – Manifesting Outstanding Service and Success in 2014 (you will have to have taken "Reading for Others" either in Nov. or any of the other times I've taught it).
All the details are HERE.
* * * * *
These classes are quite tiny, so if you are interested, don't wait! In
fact, so far, each one of these has sold out well in advance, so click here to learn more and register! |
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Local and Long Distance! Beginners and Seasoned pros! Everybody is welcome!
This month, on July 17, the one and only Dan Pelletier will be visiting us! Yes, live and in person!
Dan is the co-owner of everyone's favorite online treasure shop, The Tarot Garden, and is a world-renowned Tarot expert of the highest order.
He will be presenting a history of the Tarot. Unfortunately, no seats
remain, as this Meetup filled to capacity only days after his visit was
announced.
However, on August 21, it's play
time in our annual Summer tradition of Art Night in August. This year,
we'll be creating beautiful Tarot journals and deck boxes. Fancy artistic talent is not required! Fun for everyone, and you can put your new journal to immediate use by taking my Tarot Boutique workshop on How to Keep and Love a Tarot Journal.
RSVPs will open July 18, watch our site for the announcement.
Then, September 18, we are delighted to offer, "A Shaman's View of the Xultun Tarot."
Our long-time member, Dana has invited one of his spiritual teachers,
an expert on Mayan shamanic practice, to discuss the imagery and visions
contained in the Xultun Tarot deck. Join us for this unique insight into ancient indigenous practices as they relate to the Tarot.
For time and location details, please sign up (free!) by going here. Join us for learning, laughter, and discovery!
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Let’s stay in touch!
I specialize in helping visionaries, healers, artists, and innovators thrive in changing times.
If
you seek inspiration, practical wisdom, and solid tools for living an
extraordinary life, my classes, workshops, and personal sessions are
here to help you predict your future by creating it.
This
year, I am devoting more time to my writing and teaching, and my
one-on-one time will be at a premium. However, limited personal
appointments are available.
You can check my schedule for a phone appointment by dropping by here and then "locking in" the time with your PayPal payment.
To
get together in person, please visit me at Dancing Moon Books twice a
month. You can book up to three months in advance by calling them at (919) 833-8081.
And don't forget to stop by my award-winning blog for magical lore, Tarot updates, and inspirational gifts, just for you. I update it several times a week.
Live in balance * Focus your creativity * Manifest your vision.
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Speaking of Birthdays...
Have you joined the Birthday Club? Or maybe you'd love to find something absolutely unique to give that special someone for their birthday? Or why not treat yourself AND someone else?
Join my Birthday Club -- or renew your membership -- and make birthdays fun and magical again! Here's how! |
At this magical time of the turning of the Wheel of the Year, I want to thank you for your part in making this a Happy Birthday for WINGS. I look forward to offering you lots more goodies in the months ahead!
Blessings always,
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